Marine Operations and Vessel Movement

JURISDICTION: The following requirements are mandatory for all vessels arriving at, departing from or moving within the waterways under the control of Freeport Harbour Company Limited. For the purpose of these Rules and Regulations, the term “waterways” includes the facilities referred to as the “Lucayan Offshore Moorings” at Port Lucaya.

 

VESSEL ARRIVAL: No vessel will make an entry through the Approach Channel or enter the Freeport Harbour until they are cleared to do so by FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL.

All vessels will stand clear at least (2) Nautical Miles of the Approach Channel until cleared by FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL to make the approach and enter the Harbour.

 

VESSEL DEPARTURE AND VESSEL SHIFTING: No vessel will depart any berth and/or shift berths within Freeport Harbour unless they have received clearance to do so by FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL.

 

RESPONSIBILITY: Notwithstanding any advice and/or clearance given by FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL, the Master of any vessel is responsible for satisfying himself of the safe conditions necessary for the conduct of the navigation of the vessel.

 

MARINE INFORMATION: FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL is manned 24 hours per day and is the coordination point for marine activities for Freeport Harbour. FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL maintains liaison with and provides information to Freeport Harbour Company Freeport Container Port and Grand Bahama Shipyard operations, pilots, agents, tugs, bunkering, deployment and control of mooring parties and provision of watering services.

 

COMMUNICATIONS: All vessels must communicate with FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL on Channel 16 (Calling and Emergency) and Channel 14 (Working)

 

VHF Communications:     
Channel 16 -Calling and Safety Channel (continuously monitored)
Channel 14 -Harbour Working Channel (continuously monitored)
Channel 11 -Pilot / Tug Working Channel
Channel 13 -BORCO Pilots
Channel 13 -BORCO Office

 

Telephone Communications:
FHC – Berthing Requests: Tel:      1-242-351-5402  Fax:     1-242-352-6888
FCP – Berthing Requests:  Tel:      1-242-350-8000   Fax:     1-242-351-8044
Freeport Harbour Control:  Tel:      1-242-352-4199
Main Switchboard                  Tel:      1-242-352-9651     Fax:     1-242-352-4195

 

REPORTING INBOUND: All inbound vessels, after they have been cleared to enter by FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL, should also report to FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL Channel 14 when:
a).   Entering the Approach Channel
b).   All fast alongside designated berths.

 

REPORTING OUTBOUND: All outbound vessels, after they have been cleared to depart the designated berth by FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL, should also report to FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL Channel 14 when:
a).        Clear of berth and proceeding.
b).        Clear of approach Channel.

 

REPORTING VESSEL SHIFTING: All outbound vessels, after they have been cleared to shift berths by FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL, should also report to FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL Channel 14 when:
a).        Clear of berth.
b).        All fast at designated berth.

 

ARRIVAL ETA:

a).  All vessels arriving at Freeport Harbour should provide written request for berth to the Port Operations Manager as soon as possible, but not less than 24 hours prior to vessel arrival. All vessels must obtain confirmation of berth availability from the Port Operations Manager not less than 24 hours prior to arrival. Berthing at the Freeport Harbour is at the absolute discretion of The Freeport Harbour Company Limited who reserves the right to assign or refuse berthing privileges to any vessel at any time.

b). Notification from Agent: All vessels’ Agents must provide written notification of vessel arrivals and berth request to the Port Operations Manager as soon as possible, but not later than 24 hours prior to arrival.

c). Notification from Agent and/or Master of vessel: All Agents or Master of vessel must notify the Port Operations Manager with copy to FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL no less than 8 hours before vessel arrival or at time of leaving the last port, if steaming time is less than 8 hours.

d).  Notification from Master of vessel to FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL: Master of vessel must notify the FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL no less than 3 hours prior to arrival, with the following information:

  • Name of vessel
  • ETA at Pilot Station
  • Name of Local Shipping Agent
  • Vessel’s GT, Maximum Draft, Length Overall (LOA)
  • Last Port
  • Next Port
  • Number of Tugs required

When a pilotage exemption is issued by the Port Director of Freeport Harbour Company Limited, the Master’s name and Pilot Exemption Number must be furnished to FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL for verification.

Further notification from Master of vessel is required when:

  • Within 1 hour from Pilot Boarding Station & Position from (Radar Conspic) Oil Jetties.
  • Within 30 minutes from Pilot Boarding Station & Position from (Radar Conspic) Oil Jetties.

 

DEPARTURE ETD: All Masters of vessel must notify FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL with provisional ETD 2 hours prior to vessel’s departure.

All Masters of vessels must notify FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL when:

  • Changes to departure time (Channel 14)
  • 1 hour notice to departure time Channel 14)
  • 30 minutes notice to departure time (Channel 14)
  • Vessel ready to vacate berth (Channel 14)

 

PILOTAGE: FREEPORT HARBOUR CONTROL will coordinate Pilot boarding arrangements with Pilots in line with appropriate ETA / ETD supplied by the vessel’s Agent or Master. Pilots will contact vessels direct on Freeport Harbour Working frequencies, as appropriate.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Any additional information regarding Pilotage, additional services, special berthing requirements, berthing and entry arrangements should be addressed to

 

Freeport Harbour Control        
Tel:      1-242-352-4199
Fax:     1-242-352-4195